The Cleveland Clinic removed this painting by Cleveland artist Michelangelo after receiving complaints that it was racially biased. The artist is black.

The Cleveland Clinic takes considerable pride in itself, not just as a leading health care institution, but as an exhibition venue for art. It organizes ambitious shows of local and national artists, and often seeks publicity for its efforts.

But Clinic's commitment to art has its limits. After officials received two complaints last week about a large painting made by Cleveland artist Michelangelo Lovelace, the Clinic removed the offending work and replaced it with another by the artist.

Lovelace was stunned.

"To me, it was just shocking," he said. "I felt like it was one of my best paintings. It describes my pride for Cleveland."

The painting, "My Home Town,'' is a large panorama measuring more than eight feet across. It depicts a huge, multiracial crowd swelling into a large, imaginary public space, with Cleveland landmarks including Jacobs Field, the Terminal Tower and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, all arrayed along the horizon in the background.

Eileen Sheil, a spokeswoman for the Clinic, said, "There was a complaint that there were some racial biases in the painting. We got some feedback from visitors or an employee that they felt it was a little sensitive and we should consider taking it down."

Lovelace, who is African-American, said, "I was just shocked that anyone would find it racially offensive." He said he felt censored by the Clinic's action -- but doesn't plan to do anything about it.

"I appreciate the opportunity they were giving me," he said. "I'm really appreciative of any opportunity I can get."

Sheil said she didn't think the Clinic had engaged in censorship, and that there's a difference between showing art in a hospital and showing it in a gallery or museum.

"We're not trying to make a public statement," she said. She said the purpose of the hospital's "Art in Medicine Program" is to provide what she called "calm enjoyment."

"Our goal is to make people enjoy it, not to cause any discomfort."

The Clinic's action differed from that of Progressive Corp. in Mayfield, which is renowned for its collection of edgy and sometimes confrontational contemporary art. When employees complained about racial bias in a painting by Chicago artist Kerry James Marshall -- also African-American -- it invited the artist to speak at the company. The episode is now part of Progressive lore.

The same may now be true, in a different way, of the Lovelace incident at the Clinic.

This is unbelieveable! That picture should be put back - now - and in a prominent place for all to see. I still can't figure out the racial bias tag put on the picture by some. Who is complaining? Blacks or Whites?

It's a wonderful look at Cleveland and it's people! All kinds of people! I'm a "white" who loves my city and my greatest wish would be that every single person represented in that picture and every single resident of greater Cleveland would finally get together to make this as wonderful of a city as that picture portrays.

This world is so scared of race. This article won't even dare mention what the complaint is. And whatever the complaint is, its gotta be pretty subtle because nothing stands out about that picture. Next time the painter should just paint everyone as hispanic, as all advertisers do now. can't offend anyone that way.

I don't find it offensive, but I know there are people out there more sensitive than me. Chief Wahoo may have been the issue or some of the Afican Americans pictured with afros or disportionate features.
I don't know, but I think the Clinic is smart to take action based on what people may have said. As spokesperson said, no one is trying to make a statement and we are lucky enough to have a hospital that displays art. They have no reason to push anyones buttons.

To me it looks like all the blacks are on one side and all the whites are on the other...... some could take it as a "city divided" theme.....maybe? no? possibly? or maybe the dude ran outta paint halfway through....... but i definitely think there is a reason..... artists just don't do that for nothing..........

On second look of the picture, all the African Americans seem to be on one side of the street and the whites are on the other. A few mixed here and there, but pretty obvious. Not a big deal, but I can see where some would take offense.

Wow, this is the most trivial thing I've ever heard of. The Clinic should be ashamed. They should have defended the fact that the painting is truly diverse and represents this city well. I bet the complaints came from people who don't even live in Cleveland. Eileen Sheil knows that the bias came from the complainers, not the artist or the art. I definitely stand behind Mr. Lovelace. I am shocked that anyone, other than a racist, would find it racially offensive. I highly doubt that Chief Wahoo caused all this. If so, that complaint should be taken to the Indians front office. Two complaints isn't worth giving up a beautiful piece of art, unless Eileen feels the same as the ones who complained. Normally, I would say put the painting back in it's place. In this case, though, Mr. Lovelace should remove all of his art from that building and find a place for it where it will be welcomed and appreciated.

Wow, this is the most trivial thing I've ever heard of. The Clinic should be ashamed. They should have defended the fact that the painting is truly diverse and represents this city well. I bet the complaints came from people who don't even live in Cleveland. Eileen Sheil knows that the bias came from the complainers, not the artist or the art. I definitely stand behind Mr. Lovelace. I am shocked that anyone, other than a racist, would find it racially offensive. I highly doubt that Chief Wahoo caused all this. If so, that complaint should be taken to the Indians front office. Two complaints isn't worth giving up a beautiful piece of art, unless Eileen feels the same as the ones who complained. Normally, I would say put the painting back in it's place. In this case, though, Mr. Lovelace should remove all of his art from that building and find a place for it where it will be welcomed and appreciated.

If it is about Chief Wahoo, it is not the number (2) of complaints that is at issue. Wahoo is a huge problem with a lot of people and the Clinic has stated that they are not hanging art to be controversial. Period

any person with a college art degree is offended by this artist - what is more offensive is that the Plain Dealer finds this artworthy news but the actual working artists and galleries in the Northcoast are ignored for the real work they do by Mr " Save the Tower " Litt. When will the Grey Lady dying by the Lake hire a real reporter to cover the fine arts without being (1) a bitter building critic ( 2 ) an artist embedded in the community ( 3 ) a general "entertainment " reporter without a TV show to review.

Oh come on!!!! Some people really need to get a life! I do not see how anyone could find any "racial" problem with this picture. A personal message to those who complained: get a life....volunteer....clean your house....work in your garden...take a walk....ANYTHING... but good heavens, stop with the stupidity already! This is a perfectly good picture with no racial bias at all and deserves to be displayed. Amazing how the complaints of just a few can ruin things for the rest of us.

There is no political statement about this city when I view this painting. I've been in Cleveland 29 of my 32 years of existence and I don't understand art, but this painting is pretty clear. One side is the east side and the other the west side. Of course he could have scattered a couple of black dots and white dots around in the groups, but it doesn't matter, those who actually live in the city understand it. Fact is I interpret it as both races living side by side in peace, working together to make this city great (k, it's Browns-Steelers week and I'm in C-town love, GO BROWNS!)

The 2 people (as stated in Futurama must represent 20 million people a piece) must be higher ups that are not from this city. B/c if it just takes 2 people to get things done down there in the Clinic, maybe 4 smokers should show up at their HR dept letting them know how dangerous it is for smokers to go all the way out to Cedar road at 3:30am just to get a cigarette (I'm not a smoker but even I know how ridiculous that rule is).

It's not how many complaints but WHO complains. Somebody with their name on one of the buildings(bigtime donor) didn't like it and ......voila it's gone.....money talks and bull$#@t walks or get posted on this blog.

Is it "blacks" or " African-Americans"? If it is "African-Americans" than why is it " Whites" and not European Americans or Mexican Americans or Canadian Americans or German Americans, etc., etc.? Is the artist from Africa? I was born in Germany yet never call myself German-American. I am an American who happens to be white. If you were born on American soil you are an American. Love It or Leave It. USA!!!

By the way I like the painting. Very colorful with an interesting view of Cleveland and its people. It makes you think and that is what art should do. Good Job to the artist who shall remain colorless.

Also, whats going on with the Browns scoreboard......assuming that is Cleveland Browns stadium on the upper right..... are those horses? is that supposed to be Thistledown......... agree with BrooklynJim, the geography is off too...... that is if we are supposed to assume the Lake is behind the Jake which is "north" then all the whites are on the "east" side....... false..... Its fine artwork though...... it got all of us talking about it, maybe thats what its supposed to do!

This looks like a child's "paint by numbers" paintings. Maybe the Clinic should just move it to a back hallway or somewhere other than the main entranceway.

btw, as far as a "Nation divided", as long as there are "Americans" and "African-Americans", then there will be a divided between the American nation and the special group of "African-Americans". Either your an American or your not.

1) This painting sucks absolute nuts. It looks like a 12 year old did this.
2) Same amount of blacks as whites it seems.
3) Yes, the blacks and whites are divided in the picture, but...GASP! That's kind of the way it is anyway, whether you admit it or not.
4) Anyone who finds Wahoo offensive needs to stop crying. We're named the Indians after the first native american to play professional baseball, who...get this...ended up becoming a stereotypical vagrant indian alcoholic which caused him to leave baseball for good.

People are too sensitive. Don't like it? Don't look at it, don't read it, turn it off, plug your ears or just flat out move. I don't care if you're white, black, brown, red or orange. I'm going to judge you based on your actions. If you're a thug, I'm going to judge you as such. If you're trash...same. Drain on the economy? You bet, I don't like you.

I located the other person that complained about this painting and the winner is...... biteyourself.

The word American is in the term "African- American". Feel free to call yourself white american...pink american....or whatever you like. We use the term to reference our past and not to divide us. HISTORICAL REFERENCE PEOPLE. I don't understand all the hoopla about a label that is used based on self-pride.

Chief Wahoo is thoroughly racist. To have this racist image so prominently displayed in Lovelace's painting disqualifies it for display in any public place that values the dignity of all peoples. Racism is obviously no monopoly of any race.

I wonder if a Hispanic complained there wasn't any Latinos in the picture? Or maybe an Asian complained that his people weren't in the picture? Or maybe a disabled person complained? Or maybe a midget? I could go on and on.

The buffoonish, insulting depiction of Native Americans through a caricature cartoon mascot is such a disgrace. How many of you would be up in arms if Jesus was depicted in such a trivial way. A Native American Chief is held just as sacred as Jesus, but yet our fans and team continue to use this caricature as a symbol. If we truly want to honor the Native American culture I implore Cleveland Indians management to retire Chief Wahoo once and for all.